Nigella Lawson voted sexiest celebrity chef

Domestic goddess Nigella Lawson has been voted the sexiest celebrity chef in a poll conducted by Illicit Encounters, the UK’s largest dating site for married people.

The site polled 750 women and 700 men about their celebrity chef crushes, which saw Lawson receive 56% of the vote, with Rachel Khoo and Loraine Pascale scooping second and third place respectively.

Joining Nigella at the top was Saturday Kitchen presenter James Martin, who was voted the sexiest male chef by users of the site with 29% of the vote.

Gordon Ramsay came second with 20% of the vote, while Jamie Oliver and Marco Pierre White were in joint third with 11%.

Surprising entries came via Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Simon Rimmer and Mario Batali, none of whom are known for their smoldering sexuality.

“I’m astounded that Gordon didn’t win. He is dauntless and self-assured. I’m hooked on watching him take charge in the kitchen and I’d place my bets that it’s a similar event in the bedroom,” said Claire Page of Illicit Encounters.

Describing Lawson as “an absolute beauty and mesmerising to watch”, Page added: “As a nation we’re fascinated with celebrity chefs, after all food and sex are kindred; everybody knows that food has aphrodisiac qualities.”